The film The Poolis a 2007 Sundance Winner, directed by Chris Smith (also known for his 1999 documentary American Movie). The film depicts the daily struggles of Venkatesh, an 18-year old living and working in Panjim, Goa, India. We witness this young boy surviving in the world he knows, while yearning for a life he deserves. The film is a wonderful reflection on humanity, culture, historic beauty, and the character and power of influence of a young man.

We are provided a glimpse into the journey of this young man’s life to better himself; a meager living, a life on his own, befriending a local beggar boy, maneuvering through the city streets, working for a wealth family, trekking over historic landscapes, portaged in a bus, in a boat, on a walk to his home village through fields and sunflowers, perched in a mango tree, and back to observing the mysterious and symbolic pool. Venkatesh is a curious, diligent, and resourceful young man with stories of survival, hopes and dreams of a better life, and a goal to swim in the elusive pool. He knows he could enter the wealthy man’s pool as a thief, stealing a swim, but he has set higher standards for himself, and aims to enter freely. It is the human spirit and code of conduct of Venkatesh that connects us with the humanity and culture of the film, and ultimately the boy’s affect on the lives around him that warms our heart.

The Poolis being screened this Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 7pm at the Dryden Theatre with a panel discussion immediately following the film. Panelist are Jim Healy, Assistant Curator, Exhibitions, Motion Picture Department of the Dryden Theatre, Bishop Prince Singh of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, and P.R. Mukund, president and CEO of NanoArk Corp. and professor of electrical engineering at RIT (currently on leave). We hope you can join us.

The Dryden Theatre: Human Spirit Film Series Calendar (Upcoming films):

Saturday, March, 21, 2009 at 7pm; The Price of Sugar (“In the Dominican Republic, a tropical island-nation, tourists flock to pristine beaches unaware that a few miles away thousands of dispossessed Haitians have toiled under armed-guard on plantations harvesting sugarcane, much of which ends up in the U.S. kitchens.”)

Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7pm; Examined Life (“Examined Life pulls philosophy out of academic journals and classrooms, and puts it back on the streets.”)

Described by Lincoln as the best image of himself, this rare glass-plate image, conserved by an Eastman House team, is on view from February 1. Image courtesy of George Eastman House.

Much has been made in recent weeks, and indeed throughout the campaign, of President Obama’s connections to Lincoln. Using his Bible for the swearing in, nods to Team of Rivals, invoking his rhetoric… This month is also the bicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. There is no better time for the Eastman House to unveil a newly-conserved glass plate image of Abraham Lincoln. Truly an incredible photograph, saved by GEH’s exceptional conservation team, it will be on view starting Feb. 1.

From GEH’s press release:

The museum is showcasing its two-year conservation treatment of a partially shattered glass-plate interpositive of Lincoln. The image, depicting a “handsome” and beardless Lincoln, was taken when he was beginning his presidential run. It is celebrated as one of the best portraits made of the 16th president, and he was in agreement. “That looks better and expresses me better than any I have ever seen; if it pleases the people I am satisfied,” Lincoln said, in response to the portrait.

This image “is the closest you will ever get to seeing Lincoln, short of putting your eyeballs on the man himself,” explained Grant Romer, director of the museum’s Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation, who is one of the world’s leading experts on 19th-century and Lincoln photography. “This is Lincoln in high definition. You can see more detail than you’ll ever see in a copy print.”

As a world leader in photograph conservation, Eastman House was sought out by the plate’s owner, who chooses to remain anonymous. The glass plate was conserved by Eastman House conservation staff and fellows in the Advanced Residency Program in Photograph Conservation. Much of the work involved research in innovative methods, using materials that stabilize the fragile glass and image emulsion for today, and will preserve this national treasure for future generations.

GEH is presenting two lectures on the conservation project and the Lincoln bicentennial, Feb. 5 and Feb. 26. Many Lincoln images from the GEH collection will be on view at the Memorial Art Gallery’s Lincoln in Rochester exhibit, February 2 – April 19.

To put the Arizona Cardinals’ title drought in local perspective, the Eastman House was still two years away from opening to the public when the then-Chicago Cardinals won the NFL title in 1947. Of course that leaves them far short of maybe the most famous championship futility: George Eastman had only lived in the house for 3 years when the Cubs last took home a World Series title in 1908.

Sunday afternoon. Eastman House. Stopped by to breeze through the Trains! series of exhibits before they close at the end of the month. Plan totally foiled by the first one I encountered, Passing Time, Videos by Andrew Cross. Cancelled all thoughts of “breezing through” and slowed my afternoon way down.

Most depictions of railroads focus on the power, the speed, the mechanics of trains. Cross is a British artist that has taken an interesting look at the American rail system by producing films that focus on the other side – the slow side. So much of what trains mean to regular people (and by that I mean those that don’t work in the industry) is WAITING. Waiting on a platform, waiting for a long freight train to pass through a crossing. Cross’ work makes you confront the waiting.

The installation is on several large monitors with comfortable benches in front of them. The pictures on the screens appear to be static at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there is a quiet action about them. You start to hear the background noise and notice small movements. Then, after many minutes, a train finally comes by, and the piece takes on a whole other feeling – noise and motion disrupting the stillness.

My favorite was the video of a train station unidentified other than a sign celebrating it as the “Station at the Geographical Center of North America” (Rugby, ND I discovered on google). The view is looking across the tracks to the platform and the station, there is traffic noise and a diesel engine idling quietly in the background, and the station agent walks out of the building once. It was susprisingly peaceful to sit and watch this scene, and to let my mind wander back to all the train platforms I’ve waited on, and think about the trips that they were part of. Eventually an Amtrak Superliner rolled in for a few minutes, and went on its way.

Stopping to sit with a piece of art for 15 minutes is not my normal M.O. in musuems, but I was delighted by it that afternoon at Eastman House. Slowing the pace, sitting quietly, and enjoying the mental journey this installation took me on was well worth the price of admission. Trains! is on through January 25, except this Andrew Cross exhibit is up a little longer, through February 8.

The Rochester's Young Professionals blog is the place to look for the latest updates on the young professionals scene in Rochester, from career advice to networking events.

Contributors

Kate McGowan is a former Rochester television news reporter now working in the non-profit sector for the nation’s leading children’s charity, Make-A-Wish. She is passionate about inspiring young professionals to use their talents in becoming more actively involved in their communities. Follow her on Twitter at @KateMcGowan

Toni Lynn Arena: I am a digital media specialist by day and a fitness loving, animal activist by night. When I'm not working on self-improvement inside and out, I work with other philanthropists to build awareness within the young professional community and help make a difference.

Andrea Raethka earned a bachelor's in History, Sociology and Women's Studies from the College of Brockport. She is a mother of three young children and is always up for exploring new places for kiddie play dates. She enjoys good food, local shopping and keeping up to date on news, politics and public school issues. Find Andrea on Twitter: @Mango1531.

Ashley Dewey is an internet marketing blogger from Victor who shares thoughts about life and pets.

Audrey Burns is a reader, writer and full-time nostalgist who writes about cultural and social issues in Rochester.

Cynthia Pacia shares thoughts about giving and living in the Rochester area.

Eastman Young Professionals share the latest happenings at George Eastman House.

Habitat for Humanity Young Professionals share life and non-profit experiences, and their journey within Rochester’s changing landscape.

Jason Schwingle is a native of Rochester. He shares his thoughts and ideas on bringing young professionals back to Rochester and to downtown.

Jenna Kempie is the Social Media Chair for the Rochester Young Professionals, and is contributing posts on RYP activities and other helpful insights for young professionals in the community. Jenna enjoys getting out and exploring the area, and talking to people about their Rochester experiences, print and technology - on and offline. Follow Jenna on Twitter: @JennaKempie

Jennifer Galvez Caton is an active arts volunteer who shares her passion and perspective on theater, film, dance and music with young professionals in the Rochester area.

Jerome Nathaniel is a 2011 graduate of the University of Rochester, where he was an executive editor for the Campus Times and a service fellow with the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. Now, the Brooklyn native has returned to Rochester as an Americorp Vista at Foodlink, where he's serving as a hunger advocate.

Kayleigh Nutting is a non-profit professional that came to Rochester for college and never left. She is a graduate student and works full time planning special events and fundraising. Follow her as she writes about kicking back, giving back and appreciating the Flower City.

Kristine Caronna, a young professional blogger from Greece, shares her thoughts and updates.

Leah Shearer is a young professional and two-time cancer survivor from Rochester. She shares her unique perspective on all things - the serious, the silly and everything in between.

Luticha Doucette is a student researcher, activist and humanist who sees the world from a seated position. She chronicles life as a disable person seeking a PhD. position in biophysics at Yale or John Hopkins universities, and beyond.

Maria Thomas is the chair of RocCity Coalition, who is passionate about education and the needs of city youth. She writes about various opportunities for young professionals to get involved in the community.

Olga Podzorov is an agent with Nothnagle Realtors. She is a community activist and passionate philanthropist who is committed to working with young professionals. She covers a variety of real estate issues.

Ruth Harper-Rhode, a St. Bonaventure University graduate, does public relations for a local nonprofit. She moved to Rochester from a small city in 2011 and lived on Park Ave before moving to Penfield, where she currently resides.

Terra Keller sends updates from the staff at Foodlink, a popular regional food bank.

Stefanie Schwingle is a Rochester native and has worked at Wegmans Corporation for the past 10 years, but her interests lie in entrepreneurship and communication and her passions include urban living, photography, and cooking. Stefanie lives downtown with her husband and loves everyday life in the city.

Taren Greenidge earned her B.A. in Economics and Political Science, cum laude, in 2007 from Spelman College and her J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. She is an associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C, a U.S.-based international law firm exclusively devoted to representing management in every aspect of labor and employment law. Taren is the president of the Black Young Professionals of Rochester, an auxiliary of the Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc., which targets individuals ages 21 through 40 to foster growth and professional development, to empower members to achieve success and to strive to improve the community.